Swinney unaware how many are back at desks
He expresses his ‘surprise’ after only 5pc of civil servants return
THE sluggish return of Scotland’s civil servants to their offices has been criticised after it emerged the Deputy First Minister had no idea how many were back at their desks.
Work from home guidance was relaxed on Monday allowing employers – including the civil service – to begin a ‘phased’ return of staff to their place of work.
But the Scottish Daily Mail witnessed only 100 workers turn up at the Scottish Government headquarters at Edinburgh’s Victoria Quay by 9am that day – indicating fewer than 5 per cent of the 2,200 employees had returned. Asked about this figure by Tory MSP Murdo Fraser yesterday, John Swinney said: ‘I’d be surprised at that.’
The Deputy First Minister added that he could not confirm how many were back in the office as he did not have the data in front of
‘Vital for the health of our high streets’
him. He claimed that he would share the information if it was available.
Mr Swinney said: ‘I think the move to hybrid working is a welcome one and I know it will be embraced by civil servants as it has been embraced by leadership of the organisation in setting out what we expect of staff.’
He said officials had adopted a ‘model of hybrid working’, ensuring there will be ‘more civil servants back in the formal office environment this week’ in line with guidance.
‘The permanent secretary made clear the approach to hybrid working should take its course and staff are working on that basis as we speak. The Scottish Government has followed the guidance we have issued for others and that’s being applied across the working environment,’ Mr Swinney said.
Working from home had been ‘beneficial’ to some staff but he admitted it had ‘not been so successful for others’. He added: ‘It’s been a challenge and the need for social interaction in the office is something that many people have missed.’
The sluggish return to work has sparked concerns among business leaders who believe that a move back to offices could help stimulate an economic boost to city centres. Mr Fraser said: ‘The SNP should be encouraging everyone who wants to, to come back into the workplace as soon as possible.
‘This is vital not just for the wellbeing of employees, but for the health of our high streets and city centres as well.
‘The impact of homeworking restrictions has been overlooked throughout this pandemic, with little concrete information on how this has affected businesses and employees.
‘The least the SNP can do is to keep track of how many of their own employees have returned to the office – and ensure that they are doing all they can to set a good example for other organisations, by encouraging a safe return to the workplace.’
Work from home guidance was eased last year, but Nicola Sturgeon introduced a legal obligation on employers to allow staff to work away from the office following the emergence of the Omicron variant. Stabilisation of Covid figures has allowed a phased return.